Luminous ceiling structure and connector means therefor



June 5, 1962 3,037,594

LUMINOUS CEILING STRUCTURE AND CONNECTOR MEANS THEREFOR N. S. KAUFMANFiled July 29, 1959 INVENTOR. NATHAN s. KAUFMAN ATTOR NEYS nited StatesThe present invention relates in general to an overhead framework forsupporting decorative or functional ceiling panels, and moreparticularly to an arrangement for a luminous ceiling structure.

It is the primary object of my invention to provide an arrangement ofelements for an overhead framework of the character described which iseasy to assemble and install.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved connectorelement for assembling such a framework.

Still another object of my invention is to provide means for assemblingsuch a framework with rigidity and uni formity of alignment and spacing.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description.

FIG. 1 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of an overheadframework which embodies the features of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the elements of FIG. 1 inassembled relationship.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through one of the connectedintersections of'the framework, taken as indicated on line 33 of FIG.'2.

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the connector clampsembodying features of my invention.

The framework consists of a plurality of channel elements arranged in amodular pattern of predetermined dimensions and interconnected with eachother in substantially rigid relationship by means of slidableconnectors which prevent displacement of the channel elements from theirinterconnected positions. The assembled framework is suspended from anoverhead or ceiling area by means of suitable adjustable supports anddesirably is additionally secured at its periphery to the walls or othervertical support surfaces adjacent the ceiling area.

As shown in the drawings, the various channel elements comprise a sidewall channel which is of J-shaped cross-section. The channel 10 hasspaced parallel legs 11 and 12 interconnected by a web 13 at rightangles thereto. In use, the web 13 lies against a vertical mountingsurface such as a room wall 14 and the element 10 is disposedhorizontally with the legs 11 and 12 projecting laterally into the roomarea. The leg 11 is shorter than the leg 12 and the channel is sodisposed that the leg 11 is uppermost and the leg 12 projects beyond itto form a ledge. The web 13 is provided with a series of spaced mountingholes 15 which permit the channel 10 to be screwed or otherwise securedto the mounting surface 14 by suitable fasteners, as indicated at 16.

An end wall channel 17 of like cross-section having legs 11 and 12 and aconnecting web 13 with spaced apertures 15 is horizontally secured tothe intersecting wall surface 18 which is normal to the surface 14. Theupper or short leg 11 of the channel 17 is provided at uniformly spacedpoints with a narrow transverse'cut-out or slot 19 which is of a widthslightly greater than the thickness of the web of the main orlongitudinal support element which it is designed to accommodate, andwhich will now be described.

A main or longitudinal track or support element 20 extends parallel andlevel with the side wall channel 10. The track 20 has an I-shapedcross-section defined by a horizontal upper flange 21, a parallel lowerflange 22 atent 3,037,594 Patented June 5, 1962 ice 24 in the flange oneach side of the median web 23. The

notch 24 is of sufficient length to permit ready insertion of thelight-diffusing panels, this length being, for example, about sixinches. The track 20 is so disposed that the notched end thereof is inhorizontal transverse alignment with the notches 24 in like tracks 20which are parallel and coextensive therewith, as well as with a likenotch 24 which is provided in the upper leg 11 of the side wall channel10, which is also coextensive with the track 20.

A cross-track or support element 25 of the same crosssectionalconfiguration as the track 20, having upper and lower flanges 21 and 22and a vertical web 23, extends parallel to the end Wall channel 17 andnormal to the side wall channel 10 and the tracks 20 adjacent the endsthereof and in substantially the same horizontal plane. The upper flange21 of the cross-track 25 is provided with narrow spaced slots 19 whichare uniformly spaced from each other in longitudinal alignment with theslots 19 in the end wall channel 17. The symmetrical halves of v thetracks 20 and 25 which are disposed on opposite sides of the median web23 define horizontally extending channels similar to the channels 10 and17.

Asbest seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a connector element 26 serves to securethe framework elements 10, 17, 20 and 25 in assembled relationship atthe intersections thereof. The connector 26 comprises a body portion 27,two adjacent corners of which are rebent or folded into approximatelyparallel spaced relationship with the underside of the body 27 and formspaced symmetrical cars 28 adapted to straddle and underlie the flange21 of the tracks 20 or 25. The connector 26 is made of any suitablematerial, such as steel, which has some degree of resiliency and the gap29 which is defined between the ear 28 and the body 27 has a width orvertical dimension which is slightly less than twice the thickness ofthe flange 21, so that the connector slides easily onto and on the upperflange of track 20 or 25, but will'frictionally grip a double thicknessof flange such as exists where the framework elements intersect and oneof the flanges overlies another. To more readily guide the connector 26into such frictional engagement, the forward'edge of each ear 28 ispreferably formed with a short down-turned lip 30.

The connector 26 is provided at the forward edge of the body portion 27with a vertically extending flange 31 having an opening 32 providedtherein. The flange 31 serves both as a finger grip for grasping andmoving the connector and as an upright ear to which one end of asuspension rod or hanger element 33 may be connected. The opposite endsof the suspension rod are provided with hooks 34, one of which passesthrough the aperture in flange 31 and the other of which engages an eyebolt or other securing element which is afiixed to an overhead surfacein the ceiling area. A plurality of suspension rods 33 are utilized tosupport the framework and prevent any sag or unevenness therein. It isdesirable that the rods 33 be adjustable in length, and to that end, Ihave shown a turnbuckle assembly 36 on the rod for accomplishing suchadjustment when necessary.

in installing and assembling the framework, the wall channels 10 and 17are first secured to the vertical support surfaces at the desired heightto provide a rectangular periphery for the framework The ends of thechannels 10 and 17 are disposed in overlapping relationship at the fourcorners of the framework where the channels meet, with the leg 11 of theside channel 10 underlying the leg 11 of the end Channel 17, Thesechannels, as well as the tracks 20 and 25, are of such cross-sectionthat they may be extruded elements of aluminum or the like, and it isfurther convenient and desirable that the thickness of the webs, legsand flanges be uniform in all the several framework members.

The side Wall channels are of a convenient predetermined uniform lengthwhich corresponds to the length of the panel to be retained therein. Theend wall channels 17 are of a convenient predetermined uniform lengthwhich corresponds to a multiple of the width of the panel to be retainedtherein. For example, if the panel module is substantially eight feetlong and three feet wide, the channel 10 will be provided in eight footlengths and the channel 17 will be provided in nine foot lengths, withthe slots 19 spaced three feet apart. Each end of the elements 10, 17and 25 is formed with a cut-away portion 19a on the respective leg 11 orflange 21 which is equivalent to a half of the slot 19. Thus when two ormore end channels 17 are mounted in linear abutment, the abutting endswill define a slot 19 formed by the two adjacent cut-away portions 19ain the leg 11. A similar result is achieved when the side channels 10 orthe crosstracks 25 are disposed in linear abutment.

Assuming, for the purposes of example, that the framework is intended toprovide a decorative area 40 feet long by 27 feet wide, five of thechannels 10 would be used on each of the side walls and three of thechannels 17 would be used on each of the end walls, which, when thetracks are assembled thereto, will provide a total of forty-five 3 x 8panel-receiving modules.

The next step in the assembly is to secure three main tracks 20 to theend wall channel 17. A connector element 26 is slipped onto the flange21 of the track 20 and the web 23 is inserted into the slot 19 in thechannel 17 with the flange .21 resting on the leg 11 and the flange 22resting on the leg 12. The connector 26 is then moved toward the endwall and the flange 21 and leg 11 are frictionallly gripped and retainedby the connector. The slot 19 positions the end of the track at therequired modular spacing from the side wall channel 10, and the slot 19further maintains the track 20 normal to the channel 17 and parallel tothe channel 10.

After three or more of the tracks 20 have been so secured, the free endsof the tracks 20 are similarly connected to a cross track 25. A slidablecap or shield 37, the purpose of which will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, is slipped onto the flange 21 of the track andthen a connector 26 is slid onto the track 20. The web 23 of each track20 is engaged in a slot 19 on the cross-track 25 and the connector 26 ismoved into position to grip the flanges 21 of the tracks 20 and 25. Itis to be noted that the bend 38 of the ears 28 serves as an abutment toprevent the connector 26 from extending beyond the plane of the web 23of the crosstrack 25.

One end of the cross-track 25 engages the slot 19 formed by the abuttingportions 19a of the side wall channel elements 10 and is there securedby a connector 26. Another group of three longitudinal tracks 20 is thensecured to the opposite side of the cross-track 25, in alignment withthe tracks 20 previously installed, by means of connectors 26 which aredisposed with their upright flanges 31 in face-to-face relationship tothe opposite connectors 26. The other end of this second group of tracks20 is then secured to a second cross-track 25 in the mannerabove-described, which cross-track, in turn, is secured to the side wallchannels 10. The process is continued until the opposite end wallchannel 17 is reached and the final group of three tracks 20 is securedthereto.

Another group of three tracks 20 is then secured to an end wall channel17, coextensive with and in the same manner as the group firstassembled. A second crosstrack 25 is secured to the other ends of thisgroup of tracks 20, and the cross-track is connected in alignment withthe first-installed cross-track 25 by means of the pair of opposedconnectors 26 which already are secured to the free end of the firstcross-track. The previous steps are then continued and repeated untilthe entire framework is assembled by means of the slots 19 and the slideconnectors 26.

The flexible light diffusing panels 39 or other decorative panels maythen be inserted in the modular framework by feeding them through theentry notches 24 so as to be retained between the surfaces of theflanges 21 and 22 or the legs 11 and 12, as the case may be. Preferablythe panels are inserted as partial sections of the framework areassembled, rather than after the complete framework is completed.

The cap or shield 37 is a flanged piece which is of suflicient length tocover the notch 24. It is slidable on the flange 21 of the track 20 tooverlie the notch 24 after the panel 39 has been inserted and thusrestrain any tendency of the panel to gap or bulge upwardly adjacent tothe notches 24.

As previously indicated, the framework is further supported by means ofadjustable suspension rods 33 having a hooked end 34 which traverses theopposed flanges 31 of each pair of connectors 26 and thus serves to tiethe connectors together and prevent inadvertent displacement of thepaired connectors 26.

Thus, by using the slots 19 to locate the tracks 20 in a uniformpredetermined pattern and to position them at right angles to the crosselements, a uniform and accurately aligned parallelogram framework isreadily assembled. The connectors or frictional clamp 26 serves toretain the structural elements in abutment and prevent any displacementof the elements at their intersections. Yet, when desired, the frameworkor any part thereof may be readily disassembled by slidably disengagingthe connectors 26.

By factory pre-cutting and slotting of the framework elements accuracyis assured and economies are effected in installation time and costwithout the necessity of utilizing special tools or skills. The use ofthe slidable connectors 26 eliminates any need for screwing, bending,riveting or other tedious or time-consuming metal-securing operations atthe installation site or dependence upon the skill and judgment of theinstaller in locating and aligning the structural elements.

Although I have used a 3 x 8 module in describing the framework, it willbe understood that other preselected modular dimensions may be utilized.Furthermore, it will be apparent that if the area to be covered is notan exact multiple of the modular elements in either length or width orboth, a set of cross-members 17 and 25 or longitudinal members 10 and 20may be easily cut to shorter length at the installation site to coverthe area completely and properly. The framework will then comprise adominant central group of the pre-selected modular panels and one ormore peripheral groups of panels having a different modular dimension,as required.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shownand described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An overhead modular framework for supporting decorative panels,comprising a plurality of structural channel elements disposed in anintersecting parallelogram arrangement having portions of said elementsin overlapping relationship, the mouths of parallel adjacent channelsbeing disposed in horizontally-opposed relationship to definepanel-retaining tracks, and resilient connector elements slidablycarried by one group of parallel structural elements and slidablymovable into clamping engagement with an intersecting group ofstructural eleits 'rnents at the intersections thereof to secure saidgroups of structural elements to each other, said connector elementshaving spaced opposed gripping surfaces engaging the overlappingportions of said structural elements, the space between said surfacesbeing normally less than the thickness of said overlapped portions.

2. An overhead modular framework as defined in claim 1, wherein saidconnector element comprises a body having portions thereof rebent intounderlying relationship thereto to form spaced clamping ears, and anupright flange having an aperture therein for connection to an overheadsupport.

3. An overhead modular framework as defined in claim 2, wherein theforward edges of said ears are provided with a downwardly extendingguide lip.

4. An overhead modular framework as defined in claim 2, wherein the pairof connector elements engaging opposite sides of an intersection aredisposed in opposed relationship whereby the upright flanges thereof areproximate each other, and an overhead support member having a portionthereof traversing said pair of flanges and securing said pair ofconnectors against displacement relatively to each other.

5. An overhead modular framework for supporting a plurality ofdecorative panels, comprising a plurality of structural channel elementsdisposed in an intersecting parallelogram arrangement, the mouths ofparallel adjacent channels being disposed in horizontally-opposedrelationship to define panel-retaining tracks, one group of parallelstructural elements being provided with a plurality of uniformly spacedrecesses extending transversely thereof, a transverse group of parallelstructural elements slidably engaging said recesses in intersectingoverlapping engagement with said one group of structural elements, andmovable connector means for frictionally securing said groups ofelements to each other in said overlapping relationship, said connectormeans having a rebent flange defining spaced gripping surfaces, thespace between said surfaces being normally less than the thickness ofthe overlapped portions of said intersecting structural elements.

6. An overhead modular framework as defined in claim 5, wherein each ofthe elements of said groups of structural elements consists of a pair ofchannels having a common vertical web portion and oppositely directedcoplanar leg portions extending transversely to said web portion, saidrecesses are provided in the upper leg portion of each element of saidone group of structural elements and said recesses are of a widthadapted to slidably accommodate the web portions of the elements of saidtransverse group of structural elements and retain said latter elementsagainst angular displacement relatively to said recessed elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,299,868 Steinheiser Apr. 8, 1919 2,155,709 Patterson Apr. 25, 19392,718,290 Segil Sept. 20, 1955 2,752,017 Segil June 26, 1956

